Durham University

• Jointly models spatial, channel, and topological redundancies, moving beyond conventional spatial-only designs. • Embedding Mamba layers locally within specialized subcomponents instead of as a global backbone, enabling structured context modeling. • Achieves efficient long-range modeling with linear complexity, yielding a smaller model and faster decoding while outperforming baselines. Existing learned point cloud compression frameworks face two major limitations: (1) they focus almost exclusively on spatial redundancy and (2) rely on architectures built around local-global transformers or global Mamba blocks. Transformers incur quadratic complexity, while global Mamba lacks the granularity to capture structured correlations across multiple dimensions. We propose OctMamba, the first unified framework to jointly exploit spatial, channel, and topological redundancies, dimensions previously overlooked in point cloud geometry compression. Our approach introduces a new architectural principle: embedding Mamba modules within specialized subcomponents rather than applying them globally, challenging existing design paradigms. OctMamba combines two modules: Spatial-Channel Coupled Grouping Mamba (SCCGM) for spatial-channel fusion and Local Graph CNN-Mamba (LGCM) for topological encoding. This design enables efficient long-range modeling with linear complexity, delivering a smaller model and faster decoding while outperforming transformer-based and global Mamba baselines. On SemanticKITTI, OctMamba reduces bitrate by 60.2% over GPCC (D1 PSNR) and achieves state-of-the-art performance across LiDAR and dynamic human point cloud benchmarks with practical speed and scalability. By introducing multi-dimensional redundancy modeling, OctMamba has the potential to influence future research on efficient point cloud compression. Source code will be released.

Friction plays a crucial role in both natural phenomena, from the flow of blood cells to earthquakes, and technological applications, from car engines to wind turbines. One of the most fundamental aspects of tribology is friction anisotropy, that is, the dependence of the friction force vector on the direction of sliding. Even when two identical surfaces slide against each other, differences in sliding direction can lead to significantly different friction forces. While atomistic and semi-empirical models provide a good understanding of friction and friction anisotropy at the molecular and macroscale levels, a comprehensive understanding at the nano- and microscale remains elusive. Unravelling the mechanisms of friction anisotropy at these intermediate length scales is crucial for bridging the gap between the current atomistic and macroscale models, as well as for advancing technological applications, such as nano-/micro-electromechanical systems (NEMS/MEMS). One experimental technique which has significantly contributed to the study of nano- and micro-scale friction anisotropy is scanning probe microscopy, particularly the form of atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM enables investigations at the nanometre-scale resolution, providing at equilibrium topographical, physical, and chemical information of interfaces with atomic precision. AFM can also measure friction forces with pN-level sensitivity while operating in vacuum, air or fluid environments. The versatility of AFM and its applicability to both soft and hard materials have made it an indispensable tool for understanding the nano- and microscale mechanisms of friction. In this review, we examine the contributions of AFM-based techniques to the study of friction anisotropy. First, we summarise key AFM findings on friction anisotropy arising from the periodic corrugation of atomically flat crystals, quasicrystals, 2D materials and organic materials. In the second part, we explore friction anisotropy mechanisms influenced by the presence of solid or fluid adsorbates, such as polymers or liquid lubricants. By synthesising insights from the last 30 years of research, our review contributes to a deeper understanding of friction anisotropy, identifying common mechanisms across the diverse systems. This knowledge will not only refine theoretical models but also drive technological advancements, in a wide range of applications from biomedical devices and 3D printing to engines and advanced lubricant formulations.

This article critically examines the complex dynamics related to dignity at work (DAW) in contemporary precarious employment in the United Kingdom. It argues that current DAW frameworks are typically focused on workers with one job, but what about the experiences of those who need to work in multiple jobs to make ends meet? To consider this, the article focuses on the complex experiences related to dignity when navigating between and participating in different workplaces, presenting the notion of ‘dignity in, out and between work’. It provides a four-dimensional framework to renew DAW debates. The first two reflect original DAW frameworks revealing ‘work intensification’ and ‘poor management, exploitation and abuse’. However, this article expands these conceptually and empirically by presenting a thematic broadening of work intensification and extensification across a mixture of jobs, with fragmented and complex temporal and spatial aspects of work. The third and fourth dimensions contribute two significant elements to DAW discussions. ‘Stigma, humiliation and shame’ incorporates issues such as in-work poverty and foodbank use. Finally, we emphasise tensions related to ‘the value of work’, where workers’ contribution was not appreciated even if they held socially significant jobs.

Abstract Despite the expansion of research on South Asian courtesans, there has been no attempt at a critical historiography on courtesans alone. Within this larger gap, the specific connections between travel, mobility, and female performers in South Asia have not been adequately theorised. By making a critical intervention into the historiography of courtesans, we hope to aid in the establishment of what could be termed ‘South Asian courtesan studies’ as a recognised field of scholarship. Foregrounding the historical method for research into courtesans, the articles here show that beyond conventional ethnographic sources, there is a rich textual, visual, and material archive, largely unexplored until recently. They reveal both the transnational and local, and the spectacular and quotidian circuits of female performers’ travels. These include religious sites and participation in rites of passage like weddings but also extend beyond South Asia into the theatre spectacles and exhibitions of Europe. In the context of empire, this volume maps how female performers travelled in local, regional, and transnational contexts, and whether they were able to transcend the hypersexualised colonial trope of the ‘ nautch girl’. This special issue offers a sample of the new developments in this growing field to catalyse its further expansion.

Almost two decades ago, Thaler and Sustein (2008) explored what is well known as ‘nudge’ theory. Think about the strategic placement of the pasta on one side of the supermarket aisle and the tomato sauce on the other. The supermarket does not provide directional signage to purchase the items together, but the gentle nudge and ease of access ensures that they are more likely to be purchased simultaneously. Though initially developed in the field of behavioural science, the use of nudges in legal education (or more broadly in higher education) to enhance student engagement is yet to be fully explored. Arguably, the theory could be used at any level of learning. Rejecting the notion that nudging diminishes student autonomy (Hausman & Welch, 2010) or undermines psychological barriers for independent decision making (Bovens, 2009), there is a danger that students may experience ‘nudge’ overload or misinterpret a nudge, as a result of their academic orientation, whether mastery or performance (Graham, Toon, Wynn-Williams and Beatson, 2017). Therefore, this paper seeks to explore how experimental, experiential and innovative nudges have been incorporated into the writer’s teaching practice, encouraging further student engagement and skill mastery. Using a mastery goal orientation, this paper/presentation then explores an experiential and arguably successful application of nudges which may be linked to the improved performance across the higher-grade boundaries and a failure rate of less than 1% in classes of 250+ students. These include highly effective use of email, innovative use of podcasts, gamification of learning, the self-styled “preparation pods” and experimental, adaptive revision lectures (including flipped learning). Teaching should be grounded in liberation and development rather than authority and control. The usefulness of these combined approaches was highlighted in student evaluations. I have been exploring the use of nudges over the past fourteen years of teaching and have found that the innovative use of a range of experimental nudges in legal education may have a positive direct impact on student engagement, which should result in increased skill mastery.

Abstract Purpose Research about domestic abuse (DA) in the relationships of LGBT+ people is becoming more commonplace but is also dominated by particular methodological tropes that, we argue, constrain the kinds of knowledge that can be produced about this serious social problem. We critically consider the potential of much of the existing quantitative research either to reflect the diversity of identities of sexuality and gender that exist or to properly interrogate DA relationship dynamics. Methods Our feminist, intersectional understanding of DA considers relationships of power rather than individual incidents as central to making sense of DA; and recognises that ostensibly abusive behaviours can be motivated by self-defence as well as retaliation or to coercively control a partner (Johnson, 2008). Existing research relying solely on questionnaires can create categories of identities and behaviours that are reductive and provide precarious correlations between abusive behaviours and social variables. Results In response, we offer the COSHAR Project's mixed methods approach (Hester & Donovan, 2009) as a viable alternative approach. The questionnaire captures the context of, motives for and impacts of abusive behaviour; and offers participants the opportunity to provide qualitative explanations of responses. Importantly, this methodology allows an alternative approach to investigating so-called mutual abuse which is too often suggested as characterising domestic abuse in the relationships of LGBT+ people. Conclusions We make a case for a more thoughtful and nuanced approach to data collection that draws on what is known about LGBT+ relationships, DA and identities to better ensure a more relevant and useful knowledge base.

The mushroom innovation ecosystem highlights significant advances in mycology, biotechnology, and biofabrication, as well as the role of startups in translating these breakthroughs into products. By tracing these translational pathways, this Perspective aims to demonstrate that mushrooms represent more than a scientific resource - they embody a cross-sectoral model for bioinspired innovation with profound impact on sustainable industry and human wellbeing.

Abstract Introduction The use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to ferment alcoholic beverages is an ancient tradition, with genetic evidence indicating origins in Neolithic Asia, although the domestication process of the species is not fully understood. Kveik is a group of traditional yeasts used in farmhouse brewing in western Norway preserved through generations of rural brewing practice. While recent studies have highlighted the distinctiveness of kveik, its precise phylogenetic position, genetic diversity, and domestication history remain unclear. Results We performed whole-genome sequencing on 62 samples representing 25 unique Norwegian strains selected using cultural heritage criteria, and generated telomere-to-telomere (T2T) assemblies for representative isolates. Phylogenomic and population genetic analyses reveal that kveik forms a paraphyletic and early diverging group with respect to other domesticated S. cerevisiae strains. Most strains exhibit low within-strain diversity, strong geographic clustering, and little evidence of gene-flow or admixture. Mitochondrial genomes and Ty1 retrotransposon profiles corroborate this distinct lineage history. We further show that previously reported signals of gene flow between kveik and Asian fermentation strains are likely artifacts caused by population structure and selection. Divergence time estimates suggest that the common ancestor of beer, kveik, and other liquid-phase fermenting strains originated from ancestral populations 4,000 to 8,000 years ago. Conclusion Kveik yeasts represent a relic of early S. cerevisiae domestication, shaped by ancient human practices, migrations, and the spread of agriculture. Our genomic resource sheds light on yeast evolution and domestication. They likely comprise some of the oldest domesticated lineages in continuous use until today, connecting endangered intangible cultural heritage to an early genetic origin.

Two exceptional metalwork deposits, discovered at Melsonby, North Yorkshire, together constitute one of the largest Iron Age hoards recovered in Britain. Dominated by ornate horse harness and vehicle parts, these first-century AD assemblages provide possibly the first evidence for four-wheeled wagons from Iron Age Britain. Associated geographically and temporally with another hoard found in 1843 and with the Late Iron Age ‘royal site’ at Stanwick, these deposits have the potential to broaden our understanding not only of the varied forms of wheeled transport but also of expressions of wealth, status and elite mortuary practices in Iron Age Britain.